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08/26/2007
Of Organ and Middle Class England
I played my first service at Harlton today. For those of you who did not know, I am now the Organ Scholar there and therefore required to put in a friendly appearance from time to time. :) It actually went quite well, which was good, and all in all I found the visit entirely amusing. ((By the way, this is being written as an occupation whilst I print out some pictures for Steve... so it might end rather abruptly)).
There is nothing better than a long cycle ride, along (fast country) roads, that you have never cycled along, to a place you have never visited (or even heard of until 6 weeks ago), early in the morning.... when you have had a sum total of3 hours of sleep. Of course, the scenario was jsut improved by the fact that I was going to be playing, my eyes hurt (pollen) and I had done no exercise for 4 days so my leg muscles started to hurt about a mile through Granchester. Oh yes, did I mention I went the long way around!
Anyway, let mecease complaining, and detail the conversation I had with the church warden when I arrive.
*****
Ruth enters church slowly with considerable apprehension. Jean is dressed formally and attending to some hymn books on one of the pews. Jean looks up unnerved and both smile awkwardly until recognition dawns on Jeans face.
JEAN: Hello?
RUTH: Hello
JEAN: You're Ruth, Pleased to meet you She hurries forward extending her hand and a firm handshake is exchanged.
RUTH: And you.
JEAN: So you are here to play for us, that is lovely.
RUTH: Yes, well Leon is playing some of it just to make it easier while I familiarise... [ad lib]
JEAN: Are you an American lady?
Ruth: purplexed No... Pure English
JEAN: Oh, you have a lovely accent.
*****
Someone please explain that to me.
Anyway, I went, practise, and was interupted no less than 6 times to shake hands with various local dignitaries - all smiling and wearing their Sunday best. Bells start tolling and more people stare at me as I start to play a Waltz tune in F (first hymn) - I was glad I decided to dress smartly for this :). I then get bored... and start playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in 3/4 time which promts more stares and raised eyebrows from Leon, who is now sitting behind me.
The service goes well, although I can't register the pieces as I would like due to unfamiliarity with the (Electirc) organ - my practise time having been somewhat disturbed. The vicar preaches for anarchy. During Communion I Play a very pretty (if I do say so myself) improvisation of "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind") which gets me many compliments and makes me smile. A lot of notices and then Bach's Prelude and Fugue in F Maj from the 8 Short Preludes and Fugues to finish.
Then more hand shaking, smiling and listening attentively to the Treasurer tell me about the old Organ here and how lovely it is to see a new face.... you get the picture. We dutifully file out of the church and Leon, myself and another go to his house where his wife serves us coffee in the garden and sits very quitely whilst we discuss organs and music. Key features of this conversation are: name dropping, the mine is bigger game and "Yes..." - guess which applies to whome. I am now to play the Trio Sonata on Oct 13th for a celebration concert of the New organ - in whatever state it has reached by then.
It will be a lovely instrument, but I shall detail its many virtues when it is finished.
So all in all it was a pleasent morning, I played more than tolerably well (for once). The people as all very kind and friendly and so "Small, rural, affluent, pituresque village in East Anglia"!!!! It's brilliant.
Oh and yes, for those who were wondering... the vicar did preach calling for anarchy and a disregard for rules in favour of what God say in your heart. (!) I had to bite my lip to stop myself from giggling aloud all the way through. I mean, that sort of sermon does no harm in such a village, it might persuade people to forgo moviing their front lawn one Saturday so they can visit a friend... But even so, country Rector preaching *for* ANARCHY!
I love it
On another note: Stupid things I have done today:
- Forgot my keys - but I did get the chance to visit our next door neighbours who (on account of their holiday, my boarding and then our holiday) I have not seen for 6 months or so! :(
- Put salt in my desert.... though it was sugar/vanilla sprinkles!
- Started shaking before the evening service which didn't help the whole playing thing - I DETEST evensong.
- Had a conversation I probably should have avoided (for sanities sake) but can't change that... and it was inevitable
- Not packed...
- Not finished printing these photos...
- Not finished sorting my room
Oh well.
Best get on
xXx
21:14 Posted in Complete Random Junk! , Funny , Music , News | Permalink | Email this